Recommendations Easter Ross Peninsula

Begin your adventure on the Easter Ross Peninsula with our introductory itineraries.

'Exploring the Peninsula'

On the peninsula you can stay a while and experience something wonderful, with long sandy beaches, golf courses with the most amazing views, bespoke and family-friendly water and land activities, historical buildings and Pictish history, a breath-taking coastal and rich forest landscape to explore and wildlife in abundance.

'Be Inspired'

We want you to take some time and get away from the hustle and bustle – life on the Peninsula likes to take a steady pace. Enjoy your time with us.

Take a peaceful walk around our many paths and trails by the coast and through gently sloping forest tracks. Stop off at a scenic spot and breathe in the calm, before the views take your breath away!

For those of you who like a bit of adventure, we have land and water-based tours and activities to suit all.

Benefit from our microclimate, our low rain levels and don’t be surprised if the fresh highland air makes you sleep like a dream. We promise you a relaxing stay.

Explore the Peninsula and find the perfect spot inland, or on one of our magnificent beaches. You can watch the Northern Lights or relax under a blanket of unlimited starry skies. If you are lucky you can hear the sound of the Gizzen Briggs’ fairies, weaving ropes of sand across the Dornoch Firth. It is the land of stories.

Since medieval times, Pilgrims and Kings made their way north. Today you can journey around the Peninsula and learn more about our history and heritage. You will see Pictish stones, churches, outstanding architecture and hopefully take some time to enjoy our hospitality and meet our local people.

The Royal Burgh of Tain has been a place of sanctuary from the 11th century. Today, you can find refuge in the Peninsula’s arts, culture and our amazing scenery.

The Peninsula covers three firths and offers award-winning beaches. You can get back in touch with nature by exploring both on land and at sea.

Stay with us and become a temporary local whilst you visit!

We want you to take some time and get away from the hustle and bustle – life on the Peninsula likes to take a steady pace. Enjoy your time with us.

Local Amenities

To make life slightly easier for you we have brought together the local amenities just incase you are looking for something specific or are in need of some help. From where you can find 24hr petrol, to booking a local taxi.

We are here to help...

Bring your clubs and tee off on our champion length links at Tain or take a swing on the 9-hole course at Portmahomack, which keeps even the most experienced golfers on their toes! Both Links courses offer amazing views of mountains and sea. There are also other courses close by.

The Peninsula is part of Sustrans National Cycle Network – Route 1 (NCR1). Take your bike and cycle around our quiet, country lanes or get off the beaten track following some excellent cycle trails. Get adventurous with bespoke, activities both on land and at sea. Sit back, relax and wait for the fish to bite or take some time out and see the countryside from horseback

Legend has it that alcoholic beverages of one kind or another were produced in and around Tain since Medieval times.

We know for sure that single malt whisky has been crafted on the Peninsula since 1843 when a local farmer, William Matheson and his wife founded, the now world-renowned, Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain.

More recently the Peninsula became home to handcrafted artisan gin and vodka, with all the ingredients hand foraged locally. A more pure dram will be hard to find.

Other distilleries are within visiting distance of your stay on the Peninsula

Since medieval times, Pilgrims, Saints and Kings made their way north to this area. Today you can follow in their footsteps, immersing yourself in both the natural and built environment we have to offer on the Peninsula.

Dig into the history, walk a Pictish trail, visit ancient churches and view the superb Maitland Architecture. Relax in one of the Peninsula’s parks and gardens and make time to meet the local people.

The far northeast coast of Scotland has a much gentler landscape than the west, with more rolling hills which slope downwards to meet fertile farmland and the sea.

The Easter Ross Peninsula, just off the NC500, with its attractive coastal villages and walks, is waiting for you with a warm welcome.

With its nature reserves, woodland walks, and glorious viewpoints looking over the Peninsula and along its three firths. It is our coastline that will grab most of your attention, with magnificent long sandy beaches and sites of historic interest just waiting to be explored.

At the heart of the Peninsula are creativity, industry and a strong cultural identity which helps to preserve and strengthen our community’s sense of place. We want you to feel that same sense of belonging here.

Dotted around the Peninsula and beyond you will be signposted in both Gaelic and English language, you will hear bagpipes being played or see the local pipe band parading. You are guaranteed to find somewhere to dance the night away to live traditional music.

We have several unique local makers, designers and sellers of pottery, silver, art and crafts on the Peninsula – one thing we can promise you is you will not be leaving here empty-handed.

'Arts & Culture'

Why not indulge yourself with tempting local produce from delicious fine Highland cheeses and artisan charcuterie to free-range eggs, mussels and much more.

The Peninsula is a malt whisky drinkers paradise with the local Glenmorangie distillery on the edge of Tain town and numerous other distilleries very close by. It’s not just whisky though there is a local distillery producing gin and vodka too.

If you are interested in culture and history then why not spend the day exploring the local Easter Ross Peninsula museums and galleries.

'Museums / Galleries'

'Shopping'

There are the most amazing shops in the Easter Ross Peninsula with many selling local products, arts, crafts and other local delicacies.

'Activities in Tain'

Tain is the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland and is steeped in history. Home to the Clan Ross Centre and the world-famous Glenmorangie whisky Company.

'Activities in Kildary'

Kildary is a beautiful tranquil village nestled in Easter Ross located on the Balnagown River. The Village is bordered by Balnagown Castle and the Balnagown estate, which is owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, who once owned the famous Harrods store in London.

'Activities in Balintore'

Balintore with Hilton and Shandwick is one of the three small pretty villages on the Moray Firth coastline, on the eastern stretch of the Peninsula, collectively known as the Seaboard villages.

'Activities in Hilton'

Hilton with Balintore and Shandwick is one of the three small pretty villages on the Moray Firth coastline, on the eastern stretch of the Peninsula, collectively known as the Seaboard villages.

'Activities in Fearn'

The village is nestled between the NC500 route, and the smaller hamlet of Fearn to the southeast. Home to Fearn Abbey, the Lamp of the North.

'Activities in Inver'

Inver is a pretty village on the southeast shore of the Inver Bay, at the point where the bay opens out into one of the Peninsula’s three firths – the Dornoch Firth.

'Activities in Portmahomack'

With a delightful sandy beach running west from this historic fishing village Portmahomack is in an idyllic location to watch the sunset.

'Hidden Gems'

Here is where you can find those lovely local "hidden gems" that you might just miss.

'Activities in Rockfield'

The small fishing village faces east and is situated close to Portmahomack it is the perfect place to watch for wildlife and wait for the sun to rise.

'Activities in the Seaboard Villages'

Hilton, Balintore and Shandwick are three small pretty villages on the Moray Firth coastline, on the eastern stretch of the Peninsula, collectively known as the Seaboard villages.

'Activities in Nigg'

On the south-east coast of the Easter Ross Peninsula lies Nigg Bay and the village of Nigg. The Bay is home to a large RSPB reserve. A ferry links the villages of Cromarty, on the Black Isle, to Nigg on the Easter Ross Peninsula.

'Activities in Milton, Kilmuir & Logie Easter'

In the heyday of the Clan Ross, Milton was a centre for oatmeal. Sat on the southern edge of the Peninsula, the area sits in one of the richest agricultural districts of Scotland.

If you are interested in touring th local area and looking to explore some of our most intriguing places of interest, we have compiled a collection of Easter Ross Peninsula's sightseeing must see & do's with all the information about the local area.

'Sight-seeing'

If you are interested in the Historical buildings set around Scotland and the Easter Ross Peninsula and want to explore some of the majestic castles up close and personal, we have compiled a collection of Scotlands most magnificint castles with our recommended sites around the Peninsula and local area.

'Magnificent Castles'

If you are looking to have an amazing family day out while you are out and about exploring this beautiful part of the country and wanting to explore and experience interesting, exciting or some of our most intriguing places of interest, we have brought together a collection of family must do activities in and around this magical part of Scotland.

'Local Attractions'

'Family Activities'

Would like to explore some of the top activities, attractions and areas of Scotland?. With 100's of amazing places to explore, to make life slightly easier for you we have compiled our collection of Scotlands Top 100 sites to hopefully help you on your way.

'Scotlands Top 100'

Scotland is absolutely full of the most incredible wildlife, from Otters playing around in the fresh water lochs to swimming with Basking Sharks off the west coast. To hopefully make life slightly easier for you to find these special experiences we have created a collection of what we think are must see wildlife gems, just to get you started.

'Incredible Wildlife'

There are so many interesting prehistoric sites from brochs to standing stones dating back 1000's of years around Easter Ross Peninsula and Scotland, to help you find and explore some of these amazing artifacts we have compiled a collection of Scotlands most intresting sites around the Peninsula and local area.

'Prehistoric Sites'

Are you interested in exploring some of the most intriguing Historical ruins struin across Scotland and the Easter Ross Peninsula?

To help you get started we have a fantastic collection of over 200 of our favourite sites for you to find out about and explore.

'Interesting Ruins'

Our Local "Highlights" are part of the smARt explorer community designed to help you create these unforgtable moments of a lifetime as well as help no matter what you are needing.

The tours all across Scotland are part of the smARt explorer community giving you a fantastic collection of activities creating these unforgtable moments of a lifetime as you explore this wondrful country.

'Tours Across Scotland'

Sometimes it's not always possible to get out there and experience certain acivities or you may want to find out more, to help you we have created a collection of our favourite activities from around Scotland, which you can watch on line or in 360 from Youtube.

'Virtual Tours of Scotland'

Scotland has the most amazing coastline and over millions of years has created unforgettable coves, bays, headlands and stunning beaches. To make life easier for you to find these beautiful natural areas of beauty we have created a collection of our favourite coastline gems, just to get you started.

'Local Magical Beaches'

'Local Distilleries'

Why not relax, explore and discover some of the most amazing views and scenery Easter Ross has to offer, one step at a time.

'Beautiful Local Walks'

This beautiful area of the Highlands is absolutely steeped in history, the most amazing views at every turn and full of exciting activities from distillery tours to mountain bike trails. There is something for everyone.

'Easter Ross Peninsula Activities'

The Easter Ross Peninsula is a photographers paradise with the most incredible landscapes, seascapes and mountainscapes. Trust me with the clean air, little artifical light pollution, and the most amazing subjects all around the area you won't know where to start.

'Photography'

'Local Businesses'

'Local Produce'

'Local Arts & Crafts'

For lovers of art, outdoor activities, music festivals or something completely different!

To help you on your stay we have created "the smARt calendar" to give you a heads up and get you prepared for the fantastic season ahead here in Scotland.

'Local Tours'

'Hotels'

'Restaurants'

'Bistros & Cafes'

'The Local Takaways'

'Wine Bars & Boozers'

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The smARt calendar

"Events coming up this year"

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Close Specialities

'Local Hospitality'

INFORMATION

Scotland is absolutely full of the most incredible activities, amenities and must do adventures. To hopefully make life slightly easier and make sure you have the experiences of a lifetime we have created a collection of the best trips, tours and adventures just to get you started. So why not tour in style and book a trip today.

Please find below a selection of our favourite Tours and Tour Guides you really must make the time and effort to go and experience.

'Unforgettable Tours in Scotland'

'Scotlands Tours'

'Aberdeenshire'

'Argyll & the Islands'

'Ayrshire'

'Dumfries & Galloway'

'Dundee & Angus'

'Edinburgh & The Lothians'

'Easter Ross'

'Glasgow & Clyde Valley'

'The Highlands'